Farmers under the Aricha Kashadah Irrigation Project in Shibalaya, Manikganj, are facing fears of an irrigation crisis during the peak Irri-Boro cultivation season. The concern arises after large sandbars emerged in the Jamuna River, obstructing water flow to the project area. The project, launched on December 1, 1979, by Shahid President Ziaur Rahman under a canal excavation program, initially irrigated 1,500 acres using 20 power pumps. Currently, only three pumps remain operational, barely sustaining the system.

The project, which has supported around 2,000 farmers across 12 villages for 46 years, provides low-cost irrigation with iron-free river water, preserving soil fertility. Despite government investments of about 210 million taka for canal re-excavation and infrastructure upgrades, siltation and riverbed rise have severely reduced water availability. Farmers and local leaders warn that without dredging the newly formed sandbars, Boro cultivation could halt, leading to food shortages in the area.

Shibalaya Upazila Executive Officer Monisha Rani Karmakar said the site has been inspected and priority projects will be initiated in consultation with the agriculture department to address the crisis.